Far Right Fails to Gather Signatures to Repeal Human Rights Ordinance

"There's no constituency for intolerance in Miami-Dade"

An alliance of radical religious right groups calling itself "Take Back Miami-Dade" failed to gather the needed number of signatures to place the question of repealing an amendment to Miami-Dade's Human Rights Ordinance that protects lesbians and gay men from discrimination on this fall's ballot. The group missed its deadline for filing 32,582 signatures – 4% of the voters -- with the Miami-Dade County Commission on Friday, according to PFAW Florida Director Lisa Versaci.

"What this shows is that there is no constituency for intolerance in Miami-Dade. Any candidate or campaign who is organizing on an agenda of hate, bigotry or division would be wise to re-evaluate their strategy," said Versaci. PFAW is a member of SAVE Dade, a coalition of organizations and individuals who have pledged to fight discrimination in Miami-Dade.

"The Human Rights Ordinance is there to protect everyone's basic rights to fair treatment. By failing to join in the far right's petition drive, the voters of Miami-Dade have reaffirmed their community's rich tradition of diversity and mutual respect," said Ralph G. Neas, PFAW President.

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For More Information:

FL: People For the American Way Condemns Politics of Hate, Division in Miami-Dade Anti-Gay Initiative December 16, 1999